Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organizationP.O. Box 592
Essex , CT 06426
Phone: 860-767-0381
Email: labrescuect@gmail.com
Featured Labs
|
All Adoptable Labs
|
About LRRCT
|
News and Updates
|
For Adopters
|
For Surrendering Owners
|
Lab Love Stories
|
All Happy Tails
|
Resource Center
|
Shop For A Cause
|
| Donate To LRRCT |
OUR FEATURED LABS - SEEING DOUBLE: PERFECT PAIRS!
Bella and Hershey
Please note: We will be placing Bella and Hershey separately as each is happy on their own. Please see the section For Adopters below for our application.
Hershey and Bella are EVERYTHING Lab lovers seek in the companionship of this gentle breed. Hershey is a 6 year old English Chocolate male, a big boy at about 110 pounds but ALL love and wiggles!! His companion, Bella, is a 5 year old BEAUTIFUL 65 lb Black female whose soulful eyes and winsome personality is also sure to win your heart. They are totally housebroken, good on the leash for walks (they love walks!!), good in the car (although they think they are lap dogs!!) and are well-mannered. They have playful spirits and are up for anything you want to do. Don't miss out on sharing your life with one of these very special Labs... they are ready to make memories with you!!
Chloe and Sam
Chloe and Sam are beautiful Yellow Labs (female and male), 5 years old and are waiting to be adopted together. They are the sweetest Labs anyone could want and are everything Lab lovers look for in companion Labradors. Their owner is moving and cannot take them, so sadly they are losing their home. We are committed to keeping them together since they love each other deeply. Double the love!!We will post more about these two lovable Labs once we are able to meet and spend time with them. You can submit a preliminary application under our "For Adopters" link.
Bubbles and Tiger
Bubbles is an 8 year old Black Lab mix who lost her home because her lifelong guardian had to move and could not take her. Bubbles has always been a loyal and affectionate companion who gets along great with kids (grew up with a baby) and other dogs. She enjoys the beach, car rides, is a great companion for a walk and LOVES to play with toys and get belly rubs!! She has been living with her canine companion, Tiger (pictured with Bubbles)), all her life, and after spending time with them, I do not have the heart to separate them--especially after they lost the only home they've ever known. They are very much attached and love to play outside together. At night, they sleep side by side. Bubbles and Tiger do not ask for much. They are good in the house and used to being alone for a long work day. They like to snuggle and be with people. If there is room in your heart for these loving companions, you are sure to have twice the joy!! (Read more about Tiger on this site)
UPDATE ON ROXY
On April 2, 2009, 8-year-old yellow female Roxy, as well as her 2-yr-old black male son and 5-month-old yellow female daughter, were taken into rescue after being abandoned in their home. Roxy had been hit by a car 3 weeks prior, but had not received any medical attention and was unable to walk on her right rear leg. X-rays revealed that the impact of the car had completely rotated the head of the femur out of the hip socket. In addition to her injuries, Roxy had been completely over-bred with back-to-back puppy litters and also had a severe skin condition caused by allergies that were never treated. Her eyes were so inflamed that they barely opened and her ears were severely infected as well. At our vet's office, there wasn't a dry eye when she arrived. Amazingly, given the pain that she was in, she was still able to wag her tail! Roxy is a survivor of the worst animal cruelty but has gotten a second chance to be shown kindness by human beings. However, she still has a long road ahead of her to full recovery. UPDATE: November, 2009. Little did we know that Roxy was pregnant when she came into rescue and went to her foster home. Two weeks into foster care, Roxy whelped 9 puppies very unexpectedly. Unfortunately, all of her treatments had to be postponed while she was nursing the puppies. After the pups were weaned, we resumed Roxy's care. She was treated by Dr. Emily Rothstein, a veterinary dermatologist. Roxy had one of the most severe cases of bacterial dermatitis she had ever treated. Roxy's eyes and ears were affected, as well as most of her body. A combination of antibiotics, medicated baths, topical medications and a raw diet has improved her skin issues dramatically. Because of the years of neglect, Roxy's immune system was very reactive and sensitive. Environmental allergies have also been another source of her skin issues. She continues her treatment in foster care and it is unlikely that she will have 100% coat re-growth. Her dislocated hip has healed on it’s own and surgery was not recommended because of her poor reaction to anesthesia. Instead, daily exercise to build up muscle mass around her hip socket is seeing results. She shows no sign of pain nor favors the hip that was injured. She continues to be monitored by Dr. Rothstein for skin issues. Roxy is a labrador with great heart and spirit. She is a happy girl, finally playing with toys, very affectionate and always wanting to please. She sees joy in simple things, loves the comforts of home, her favorite chair and lives each day to the fullest. Roxy continues to heal and for that we are most grateful to her foster parents. We continue to need help with her medical expenses. Thank you to everyone who has helped already! If you would like to contribute, please use the Paypal donation link below. We hope you enjoy the new pictures, as well as pictures of her puppies. Bless you from Roxy and all of us here at LRRCT!
NEWS AND UPDATES
********2009 Year in Review ********
Every year, we hope to report that fewer Labradors come into rescue than the last but unfortunately that is not the case. Over 60 labs came into rescue this year, ranging in age from newborn to 12 years old, plus a record of 5 bonded pairs who were all successfully placed together. This year also brought some special challenges. Among our intakes were several dogs with severe skin conditions, and Roxy, the worst case of neglect we’ve ever seen who also came to us expecting a litter. Thanks to a dedicated team of vets and the extraordinary care of their foster families, they are all finally on their way back to health, and for some, already with their forever families. It takes a community of volunteers to help just one lab and we are tremendously grateful for the commitment of so many. During this Holiday Season, we wish to extend our thanks and gratitude to all of our adopters, donors, volunteers, and vets for being a part of so many second chances and happy endings for our rescued labs. Your support enables us to continue our mission to provide a safe haven for our labs until they can find their forever homes. Lastly, we wish to send the love of the season out to all of our former rescued labs, who are now living the good life with their new families. They are forever teaching us lessons in trust, resilience and living in the moment because of their kind heart and spirit, and for that we are always grateful.
Warmest wishes for a Happy & Healthy New Year from all of us at LRRCT, Inc.
Kathy Lifland, President
Kim Taliercio, LI Director
LRRCT, Inc
P.O. Box 592
Essex, CT 06426
Hotline/fax: 860-767-3081
Here are the final statistics for 2009:
Total Intakes: 67
Total Adoptions: 66 (plus one joyful reunion with their owner!)
11 puppies (under 6 months)
20 adolescents (6 months - 2 yrs)
21 adults (2 - 7 yrs)
14 seniors (8 yrs plus)
Check out some of this year's adoptees in their new homes!
********A REASON TO ADOPT ********
Since the summer has brought many changes, including a major move for the President of LRRCT, Inc and a new baby for our webmaster who has earned a very well deserved maternity break, we'd like to focus on some of our happy endings. We at LRRCT feel privileged to have met so many extraordinary labradors who become guests in our home for a short and sometimes long while before they find their forever homes. We have also been honored by extraordinary support from many individuals, whether financial or volunteering their time and commitment to our mission.We'd first like to focus on some of the labradors who have come into our program because of servicemen giving up their labs. Please look at Cleopatra, Dixie and China in our Happy Endings. They are just a few of the labs surrendered by our military being called up for active duty for two and three times and having no more options for their canine companions. I wish there were some way for them to know that their labs all got extraordinary homes with extraordinary labrador people. They are true companions and loved. (Pictures to follow)
This section starts with a story forwarded by one of our adopters but as I read it, it could have been written by any one of our rescue labs owners. in the military. I hope it might make just one of our readers look at a lab or any dog found in a shelter or rescue through different eyes. Many are loved and their owners have no other options. Although long, it is well worth the read.
“TO WHOEVER GETS MY DOG”
They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.
But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.
But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.
For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.
I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.
This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."
Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.
Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought.. And I punched the shelter phone number.
But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".... .....
____________ _________ _________ _________
To Whoever Gets My Dog:
Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this; a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner.
I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time.... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.
So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.
First, he loves tennis balls. the more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.
Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel.." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.
I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.
Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.
He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.
Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially..
Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new.
And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you.... His name's not Reggie.
I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him.. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems.
His real name is Tank.
Because that is what I drive.
Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call the the shelter.... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.
Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.
And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.
That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.
All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.
Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.
Thank you, Paul Mallory
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.
I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.
"Hey, Tank," I said quietly..
The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.
"C'mere boy."
He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.
"Tank," I whispered.
His tail swished.
I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.
"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again.
"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth....
********FOSTER HOMES DESPERATELY NEEDED**************
Due to the volume of wonderful labs in our program, we are in desperate need of foster homes. We have limited space right now in our current foster homes, as well as kennel space and are in danger of turning away labs at this point. Please look at our list and see if any one of our labs might be a guest in your home for a short while. Our usual adoption time is 2-3 weeks. Our mid range to senior labs are grateful for even the smallest kindness. Look into your own labrador's eyes and see if you would not want someone to step up to the plate if they ended up in some unfortunate situation. We supply food, crate if needed and any supplies. Fosters must be in the CT, NYC area. Foster application will be e-mailed upon request. We will only place a foster lab in a compatible situation for both the lab and the potential foster. If you cannot foster, please consider sponsoring one of our labs in boarding for any amount of time. Our labs would be most grateful!!
WHO WE ARE
Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc (LRRCT)is a 501(c)(3) non profit charity, dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of Labrador Retrievers that have been abandoned, lost or abused and found in shelters throughout the Northeast. The group was founded in 1996 and organized through long time participation with the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc (www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue.html)National Rescue Program. All LRRCT labs are for the most part purebred. We do accept some compatible "retriever" mixes but essentially the predominant look and temperament is one of a Labrador Retriever. Our labs come into our program from shelters, veterinarians and owner surrenders. They are given up because of family relocation, divorce, allergies, serious illness/death of the owner or simply because their owners do not have enough time for them All of our labs are evaluated for temperament and have been kid/cat/dog tested. All of our labs are spayed/neutered, up to date on immunizations and heartworm/lyme tested. Any medical issues/surgeries are taken care of prior to placement and fully disclosed to adopters.
ADOPTING, FOSTERING OR SPONSORING A LAB
Since we are a regional breed rescue, we adopt to families in Connecticut, SE New York and southern Massachusetts. If you are coming from outside this area, we would be happy to refer you to one of our partner rescues. Our adoption process is very hands-on and involves an adoption application, followed by a veterinary reference check and home visit from a volunteer, before we set up a meeting with any lab. Our application helps us to match you and your family's needs with those of our labs and carries with it no fee or obligation. It can be found via the link below. When the above steps have been completed and we have a lab that we think might make a good match for you, an appointment is scheduled for you to meet the lab. All of our labs awaiting adoption are with private fosters in the CT or NYC areas, as we do not run a shelter facility. Usually, you will be called to see just one lab and you will have to notify us within 24 hours of your intention to adopt.
All of our labs are adopted under a legal, binding contract. Our adoption fee is $300.00, which often only partially covers the full vetting and medical expenses incurred by our rescued labs. Rarely, no matter how carefully we match a lab and family, we are asked to take the lab back. If the placement is not working for either the family or the lab, the rescue lab must be returned to us. Lastly, LRRCT reserves the right to reclaim any rescue lab that becomes neglected, improperly cared for or is allowed to run free unsupervised.Is a Labrador Retriever the right dog for you? Though each of our rescued labs is a unique individual with his or her own special needs, the link below contains some general guidelines on what kind of home makes for a happy lab. They contain details on exercise, training, fencing, children, and many other aspects of labs’ needs. Before applying, please take the time to read this information and consider the guidelines carefully when deciding whether a lab is the right dog for your family. Additional information from the rescue lab’s perspective can be found in the Resource Center section of our web site.
Choosing A Labrador
Apply
If you are not in a position to adopt but might be able to foster one of our labs, please contact us for a foster application. We carefully place our foster labs in a home that would be an appropriate match for them and the foster family.
And lastly, if you are not in a position to adopt or foster, please consider sponsoring one of our labs in foster care. Donations can be made directly through our Pay Pal account or mail directly to LRRCT, Inc., PO Box 592, Essex, CT 06426. We are a 501 (c)(3) non profit charitable organization and rely on the kindness of contributions to fund our mission of helping abandoned or surrendered labrador retrievers of good temperament find permanent homes. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Donations may be earmarked for the following funds: 1. General Fund, which funds day to day expenses of our labs, including medical expenses, food/foster care, boarding, supplies, and training. 2. Medical Fund which funds extraordinary surgeries , cancer treatment , long term illness management. 3. Daisy Fund. Named for a gallant senior lady, specifically for treatment of our senior labs(age 8 or older) requiring extra care due to age related illnesses. Our senior labs often require more vetting than our average adult labs plus treatment for geriatric illnesses. We waive or reduce the adoption fee substantially for our senior labs, as well as for special need labs. 100% of our donations are used towards our labs medical and foster care, including food and boarding expenses. No amount is too small...Please support us in our mission to help these wonderful labs.
PLEASE NOTE
We are an all volunteer organization. We have jobs, families, understanding spouses, children & labs of our own plus a foster lab or two. Our first priority is "rescuing" the labs we are so committed to---this takes an enormous amount of manpower to evaluate at the shelter, transport from a shelter, vet & transport into foster care. We do not have the luxury of returning phone calls, unless it is an emergency surrender. If you need information, the quickest response will be through e-mail. Thank you for your patience.Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc
P.O. Box 592
Essex , CT 06426
Phone: 860-767-0381
Email: labrescuect@gmail.com
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Our Adoptable Lab List
[Home] [Information] [Shelters] [Search]